Florissant's Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sidewalk & pedestrian rules a little differently. In Florissant, Missouri, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Obstruction Rules

Florissant makes it unlawful to stand idle in a public place, alone or with others, so as to knowingly block a public street, highway, sidewalk or building entrance. Police must first order violators to move on before a citation issues.

Key details: Governing section: § 210.720, Obstructing Public Places. Enacted by: Ord. No. 8631, 9-14-2020. Enforcement step: Officer must order person to move on first. Penalty: Up to $1,000 fine / 3 months jail (§ 100.080). Covers: Streets, sidewalks, public places, business entrances.

Failing or refusing to obey a police order to stop obstructing and move on is the chargeable offense under Section 210.720. Because the section carries no specific penalty, it defaults to the Section 100.080 general penalty: up to a $1,000 fine, up to three months in the City or County Jail, or both, with continuing violations charged day by day.

Encroachment Permits

Nobody may dig in a Florissant street, sidewalk, alley, right-of-way or easement without a City excavation permit, which costs $50 per dig ($100 if several digs complete one job) and requires $1 million in liability insurance or a $100,000 bond, plus a separate $2,000 cash deposit or bond with the Director of Finance.

Key details: Permit required for: Any excavation in street, sidewalk, alley, ROW or easement. Standard fee: $50 per excavation. Multi-dig job fee: $100 flat fee. Insurance required: $1 million liability or $100,000 bond. Compliance deposit: $2,000 cash or bond.

Excavating in a Florissant public street, sidewalk, alley or easement without the Section 530.120 permit, or failing to meet the estimated completion time stated on the permit without an extension from the Director of Public Works, violates Chapter 530, Article II; the City can also require unsupervised backfill to be dug up and replaced under a street inspector's supervision at the violator's expense.

The Bottom Line

Florissant's sidewalk & pedestrian rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Florissant is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Florissant's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.